Chick-fil-A looks to bring chain to Elmhurst

Restaurant would go on northeast corner of Route 83 and St. Charles Road

March 07, 2013|By Graydon Megan, Special to the Tribune

Elmhurst, home to a growing number of hamburger places, is now in line for a chicken place as Atlanta-based Chick-fil-A took some steps toward opening a restaurant in town.

Company representatives appeared last week for a public hearing before the city's Zoning and Planning Commission to ask for a conditional use permit for a drive-through as part of its plan for a restaurant in the Elmhurst Crossing shopping plaza on the northeast corner of Illinois Route 83 and St. Charles Road.

The free-standing restaurant is to be built on an out lot on the west side of the plaza near Route 83 and due west of the Kmart store.

"We're very excited about becoming part of the community," development manager Jason Hill told commissioners. "If all goes well, we hope to be open by the first quarter of 2014."

Commission members seemed open to Chick-fil-A's plans, including for the drive-through and a requested tall post-mounted sign, but did question whether some oversized wall signs were necessary.

The public hearing drew no comments from residents or other businesses in the center.

Commission chairman Darrell Whistler said the plan would be discussed again on March 14.